Handle for elastic exercising device



Aug- 12, 1969 5 c. RoGGERo 3,460,829

HANLE FOR ELASTIC EXERCISING DEVICE v med Aug. s. 196s 5 sheets-sheet 2 mvEN-ro Cosmm'mo Racial-:Ro

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ATTORNEYS Aug. l2, 1969 c. RoGGERo 3,460,829

HANDLE FOR ELSTIC EXERCISING DEVICE mad Aug. s. 196s :s sheets-sheet s mv E N To R (Elosrnu'n No Roacsaeo HTTRNEVS United States Patent O 3,460,829 HANDLE FOR ELASTIC EXERCISING DEVICE Costantino Ruggero, Camino, Alessandria, Italy (Ufficio Gaetano Capuccio, via Venti Settembre 60, Turin, Italy) Filed Aug. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 476,842 Claims priority, application Italy, Aug. 20, 1964, 25,872/ 64 Int. Cl. A63b 21/02, 11/00 U.S. Cl. 272-82 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to gymnastic apparatus.

The purpose of this invention is to provide apparatus for gymnastic use of simple and inexpensive construction and adapted for a variety of exercise uses in the alternative such as stretching, weight lifting and combinations of such exercises.

An additional purpose in such apparatus is to promote means to develop fully the maximum potential of muscular exertion and development.

The invention is embodied in a tubular handle adapted to engage a selected quantity of elastic pull straps in turn engaging similarly another handle. Manual use of the pair of handles is used as an exerciser. The hollow handle serves as a seat or receptacle for tubes used to support the usual disc-shaped weights and the like.

Additional objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the following drawing illustrating several embodiments thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective one form of the handle;

FIG. 2 is a lateral elevation of the handle shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the handle as seen along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows in perspective tubular elements used in the apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows in perspective the tubular elements inserted in the handle;

FIG. 6 shows the apparatus with tubular elements inserted in the handle with additional weight elements;

FIG. 7 shows a modified form of the handle in perspective; and

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate in perspective still vfurther modi iied forms of the handle.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus of the invention comprises a handle 1, essentially rectangular in shape, having a larger side of a hollow portion 2 joined by bars 3 to another relatively large side 4. Side 4 is made as an inverted T-profle as best seen in FIG. 3. The lower wall of side 4 is provided with a series of holes or apertures 5 on both wings of the T.

3,460,829 Patented Aug. 12, 1969 ICC The apparatus provides the means for connecting one or more elastic pull-straps `6 to the handle.

The pull-straps join two handles through known anchoring means fixed to the respective ends of the pullstraps. In a preferred form the pull-straps 6 are made of rubber. The straps `6 are used in sufficient quantity to provide the user with the elastic reaction force desired. More or less straps to the quantity originally connected provides for more or less gradation olf possible tension forces for the exercise. In use the hand grips the outer surface of the hollow portion 2 as is apparent.

Tubular elements 7, as shown in FIG. 4, suitably dimensioned, may be inserted into the hollow portion 2 of the handle by means of a male and female insert of suitable reduction in diameter. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 5 and is useful as such as a balance for lifting weights or in combination with weights as well as a stretching device with the pull-straps 6.

Tubular elements 7 may be combined end-to-end or with a supplementary element 8 serving as a connector to extend the bar for the purpose of permitting a pair of elements 7 to be joined to the handle with additional disc-shaped weights 9 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The apparatus of the invention can be used in many variations and changes lfor exercises as suits the user.

The handle 1 may be arranged for connecting a greater number of pull-straps than the connections shown in FIG. 1.

For certain applications the handle is modified to the form 1a shown in FIG. 7. In this form the connecting apertures for pull-straps 6 are formed on an extension or rib directly on the hollow portion 2a rather than being spaced therefrom by members such as sides 3 shown in FIG. 1.

For certain other applications, the straps-supporting portion of the handle may be detachable from the main portion providing thereby interchangeable forms of the exercise apparatus. Thus a strap-support insert 4d of the form illustrated in FIG. 11 includes in general the structure of the inverted T-prole portion shown in FIG. 3. This insert is slid into the corresponding receiving portion of any of the three lforms of the main portions shown in FIGS. 8-10 respectively. It is to be noted that the form of handle illustrated in FIG. 10 provides for two inserts thereby permitting twice the quantity of pullstraps 6.

Handle 1c, FIG. 9, is not provided with strap connections, while the hand-engaging form 1b, FIG. 8, is provided With strap connections as well as provision for receiving an additional amount of straps by use of the insert 4d of FIG. 11.

It is evident that the invention is not limited to the forms shown and described but that other variations and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for gymnastic use, comprising a handle portion of generally cylindrical form, being hollow and receiving a tubular element and having a plurality of connection means to receive one end of one of more elastic pull straps, said tubular element extending laterally from said handle portion for extension handle portions for balanced gripping.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means comprise a double row of connection seats.

3. Apparaus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means comprises a detachable connecting block, arranged to be received in a seat parallel to the axis of the cylinder portion, said connection block being provided with a plurality of said connection means.

`4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular elements are adapted to connect discshaped weights to said handle portion.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the elasic pull-straps consist essentially of rubber and are provided with connectors at both ends for connection to the connection means on the corresponding portions of another of said apparatus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1929 Germany.

10 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 15 272-84 

